Improvement in needle-cases



UNITED STATES Parana @arten AMBROSE FOWLER, OF WEST TROY, NEV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN `NEEDLE-CASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 16 0,41f1, dated'March 2, 1875 application led January 16, 1875.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMBRosE FowLnR, of West Troy,:in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Needle-Gases; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

y clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The invention herein is designed', among other things, for use for retailers of sewingmachine needles and the features which distinguish it from needle-cases heretofore in use consists in the combination, with a case divided into separate rows of compartments or receptacles for needles, or other articles for show and sale, of separate sliding covers for each compartment, so arranged that only one compartment of each separate row is opened at a time by the movement of the slides, and so as to prevent the mixing of dii'erent kinds of needles or things of the several compartments while being handled.

A further novel feature consists in the combination, with a case of separate rows of compartments and separate sliding covers for each separate compartment, of a stop or stops, the design of which is that, while allowing the `slides of each row to be moved in pairs or in series over the compartments, to open any desired one, or to be moved singly over any two adjacent compartments, such movement of the slides will be so limited as to close all the compartments but the one in which it is desired at the time to examine the contents.

The invention comprises a case in which separate lines o rl rows of separate compartments are combined with an equal number of separate and distinct slides, fitted and moving in ways in the same plane at the open sides of the compartments, and having a movement either all at a time, or singly, just equal to the width of said covers and the compartments, so that each compartment has its separate slide, and each two adjacent slides isolate and protect the contiguous compart- .ments from that which is open, and obtain thereby an inspection of each compartment from either end of the row in succession, or from the middle toward either end, and by this means prevent all possibility of the mixing of the needles or articles of one compartment with those of the others.

Another important eiement of my invention is embraced in the combination, with a case of separate rows of compartments and separate and equal number of sliding covers therefor, having' a limited movement in the same line and in connection with the said separate compartments, of a stop or stops in the outer or inclosing-case, the function whereof is to intercept and arrest the inward movement of the slides in closing the compartment-case, and thereby automatically close all the compartments of the separate rows by the act of closing lthe said case.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a needlecase embracing my invention; Fig. 2, a top View of the compartment-case and its separate series of slides in different positions; Fig. 3, a vertical section with the compartmentcase and its sides closed; Fig'. 4, a similar section with the slides in position to uncover one of the compartments, and Fig. 5 a cross-section. rlhe compartment-case is fitted within a suitable inclosing-case, A, so as to be opened and closed therewith like a drawer. The coinpartment-case is of rectangular forni, of any suitable length, and divided longitudinally by one or more partitions, a, within and between which are arranged transverse compartments b, having curved bottoms and sides, and joining each other, so as to form transverse divisions c in a row of separate compartments, within which the needles or other articles are placed, the curved form affording great facility for handling and removing the needles.

rlhe concave compartments 'may be formed in a single piece of wood or other material, or they may be setin place separately. and glued or otherwise fastened. They are of equal size, and, being closed at their ends by the sides d and the partition a, form the concave pockets so well adapt-ed for holding the needles in regular and straight condition, and allowing them to be more easily removed. This form of pocket is not, however, absolutely 2 lAiL.

necessary in carrying out my invention. The compartments are provided with an equal number of slides, f, arranged in line, and of equal width with the pockets, being fitted so as to be slid back and forth within ways or grooves `gin the sides and partition of the case, so as to uncover any one ofthe row of compartments for the inspection and removal of the needles. Each separate slide f has a knob, h, by which to move it in or out; but in either direction it can only be moved a distance equal to its width, in order that it shall only uncover one compartment at a time in the row. This is effected by arranging a stop or stops, t', at the end of the row of slides, and preferably within the ways g, in which they are fitted. These stops i are placed a distance from the end compartment just equal to the width ot' the slides, so that any one of the latter can be moved to uncover either the end or middle compartments, while all the rest remain. closed, so that every compartment can be opened and the needles handled without the least liability to mix them, as no two pockets in the same row can be opened at a time. This is a great advantage over a case in which all the needles are exposed by the opening of the case. It is very necessary that the needle-pockets should be kept covered when the case is closed; and as the slides can only be closed throughout the row from the inner one, I have combined, with the several rows of Yseparate slides, stops j, depending from the top of the inclosingcase A, so as to intercept and stop the movement ot' the row of slides when the vase is pushed in7 and serve to push them out by the act of closing the case, the stops j being arranged to close the slides at the moment the case itself is closed, and by this means the closing of the slides is made absolute to cover the pockets and protect the needles from the eli'ects of dampness and dust.

I claim- 1. The combination, with a case divided into separate rows of compartments or receptacles b, for needles or oth er articles for show or sale, of separate sliding covers j' for each compartment, so arranged that only one compartment of each separate row is opened at a time by the movement of said slides, whereby the needles or other articles of the several compartments are prevented from being mixed While being handled.

2. The combination, with a case of separate rows of compartments b, and separate sliding covers f for each compartment, of a stop or stops, t', whereby the movement of one or more covers is limited to a distance equal to the width of the cover, to exactly uncover one compartment at a time in the row.

3. The combination, in a case for needles and other similar articles, of separate lines or rows of separate compartment-s b, an equal number of separate and distinct slides, f, of equal width with the compartments, and sliding in ways g in the same plane, either all at a time or singly, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with a case of separate rows of compartments b, and separate and equal number of sliding covers f there-for, having a limited movement, of a stop or stops, j, in the outer case, substantially as described, whereby the inward movement of the compartment -case automatically closes all the slides of the separate rows.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AMBROSE FOWLER. Witnesses:

HENRY A. MERRITT, SHEPARD TAPPEN. 

